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10th Anniversary SeaChange Summer Party

On Saturday, July 15, 2017, Oceana held its 10th Anniversary SeaChange Summer Party, a sold-out evening at a private coastal villa in Laguna Beach. Nearly 400 guests attended the event, raising more than $1.3 million for Oceana and local ocean conservation efforts.

“Protecting our oceans is really a personal issue for all of us,” said Oceana Board Vice Chair and SeaChange Co-Chair Valarie Van Cleave. “I think all of us want to make sure our oceans are as wonderful for the next generation as they have been for ours.”

Award-winning actor and longtime Oceana Board Member Ted Danson mingled with guests and led the night as Master of Ceremonies.

“SeaChange has helped Oceana become a real force for good in California and around the globe by winning victories that make our oceans healthier, more biodiverse and abundant,” Ted Danson told the crowd.

Sam Waterston and Lily Tomlin, spoke of the recent tragedy of Scarlet the whale, a locally-known humpback whale who died in April and had previously become entangled in fishing gear.

“It’s too late for Scarlet, but you and I, by having Oceana’s back, are going to rescue the oceans,” said Sam Waterston.

“Oceana is reducing ocean pollution, increasing fish populations to feed the billions of people who depend on seafood, and protecting the millions of jobs worldwide that depend on healthy fisheries,” said Lily Tomlin. “Thank you, Oceana, and thank you SeaChange!”

SeaChange guests were treated to specialty Nolet cocktails and a delicious dinner. Guests were invited to raise their paddles to support Oceana’s campaigns to protect majestic sea creatures like whales and promote healthy, vibrant marine ecosystems. Highlights of the evening auction included the lively bidding for a Customized BMW 530e Hybrid donated by BMW and the Southern California BMW Centers and an exclusive six-day voyage aboard the Hemisphere – the world’s largest luxury catamaran – donated by the owner and Burgess, the world’s superyacht specialist.

Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless highlighted Oceana’s victories in the past year. He also told the assembled guests that Oceana was fighting a recent government decision to withdraw protections for whales and other creatures threatened by the swordfish driftnet fishery off California’s coast. “As you would expect, Oceana is already taking action,” said Sharpless. “We have challenged this decision in court. We are mobilizing the public. With your help, I promise you we will win.”